Direct toxic effect of bleomycin on alveolar type 2 cells

We studied the in vitro toxicity of bleomycin (BLM) on primary cultures of rat alveolar type 2 cells (T2 cells). It was shown that BLM was directly toxic for T2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Lung fibroblasts (LF) appear to be more resistant than T2 cells. Modulation of intracellular glutathione concentration was associated with changes in cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the addition of O-phenanthroline to the cellular medium reduced significantly BLM toxicity, suggesting the involvement of intra-cellular ferric ion. We also found that BLM toxicity was associated with a decreased release of phosphatidylcholine by T2 cells, the main component of surfactant. Protective effect of O-phenanthroline and the involvement of glutathione may be an alternative approach to the protection of BLM-induced damage.